The clinical psychiatrist who first identified Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is visiting Cambridge this week to share his wisdom with doctors and academics.

Dr Norman Rosenthal, who is clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School, Washington DC, was the first physician to develop light therapy as a treatment for SAD.

He will be giving the private talk The Quest for Innovative Treatments in Psychiatry: A Personal Perspective at Cambridge University’s Department of Psychiatry on Thursday, as part of a tour of the region.

Dr Rosenthal is giving three publics talks and seven presentations to hospital doctors and GPs in in Colchester, Ipswich and Chelmsford along with academics at Essex University, King’s College London and Cambridge University.

The doctor, who has published research on Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in US military personnel, and Botox therapy for alleviating depression, will draw on almost four decades of psychiatric research experience and will discuss his work with seasonal affective disorder and light therapy as well as Transcendental Meditation.

Speaking ahead of his talk on Thursday, he told the News: “I came from South African to New York City, the decrease in day length and darkness that the winter brought, were quite alien to me.

“We don’t have that in South Africa, I noticed changes in myself.”

Dr Norman Rosenthal, who is clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical School, Washington DC, was the first physician to develop light therapy as a treatment for SAD.

The doctor said he hoped to inspire others when he gives his talks this week.

“It’s to encourage researchers to be curious and to ask more questions. That’s what I did with SAD, I found patients who really had the seasonal problem,” he said.

“I tested out the symptoms of SAD, what does it consist of? In its severe form, it has fairly disabling symptoms, low energy, increased need for sleep, increase appetite and weight gain, withdrawal from friends and family. When you add all these things up, it can be very depressing.”

The psychiatrist will also talk about Transcendental Meditation, a simple mental technique which leads to less anxiety and depression and increased creativity and clearer thinking.

Introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India in the mid-1950s, it has been used in schools, prisons and in the military in many countries around the world and is practiced by famous people including David Lynch, Stella McCartney, William Hague, Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey.

Dr Rosenthal has authored or co-authored nine popular books including his latest book Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life through Transcendental Meditation.

“In my 37 years as a practicing psychiatrist, TM is one of the most potent non-drug treatments I have encountered. I recommend it frequently in my own clinical practice,” he said.

“My message is, open your mind to new things. Whenever I’ve been curious I’ve been rewarded.

“At the beginning, when you have something that’s new, expect that’s going to be a certain amount of scepticism. Develop a bit of a thick skin and be tenacious. That’s what’s worked for me.

“These are the experiences I want to share with potential people who might want to take a similar path if not in clinical research but in other areas of their lives.

“These are principles that are applicable in other situations.”

For more information on his tour, visit https://www.normanrosenthal.com/blog/2016/09/uk-super-mind-tour/.